The Theme of The Fault in Our Stars
By Morgan Birdy
The Theme
The theme of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is loving someone even though you know your time with them is limited. Throughout the story Hazel thought she was going to die before Augustus, until he tells her that his cancer came back and it has spread through his entire body. They spend a great deal of time together right up until Augustus dies.
Quote #1
Before Augustus knew he was going to die, Hazel constantly warned him that she was going to break his heart when she died. Hazel said to Augustus "I'm a grenade and at some point I'm going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?" (page 76) Hazel means that she doesn't want Augustus to fall in love with her because her cancer is incurable, and she doesn't want to hurt him when she does die. Augustus tells Hazel that he doesn't care, and he's going to love her anyways. Augustus knew Hazel was very sick and that she would probably not live past her teens, yet he still loved her.
Quote #2
Augustus' response to Hazel warning him that she is a grenade was "Oh I wouldnt mind Hazel Grace, it would be a priviledge to have my heart broken by you." (page 76) Augustus is telling Hazel that even though their tragic fait is inevitable, he doesn't care because it is a priviledge just to be able to love her and spend time with her. This proves the theme becuase Augustus knows Hazel is going to die yet he still wants to love her before she dies.
quote #3
"You don't get to choose if you get to hurt in this world, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers." (Page 318) Augustus wrote this to Hazel right before he died. He is saying that no matter what, somehow we are going to get hurt, and it is better to be hurt by someone you really loved and cared about than never have the opportuinity to love them.